Robotic Automation and the Future of Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing
Overview
The future of conveyor and conveying equipment manufacturing is being shaped by robotic automation. This guide discusses how the acceleration of automation will transform factory production lines, how it impacts the labor market, and how advancements in safety and hygiene practices are influencing industry trends. The report references a myriad of statistics, such as 64% of global organizations identifying cost reduction as the primary driver for automation, 1.7 million new robot installations expected by 2020, and 73% of manufacturers plan to increase their use of smart devices in the next three years.
Automation and Production Efficiency
The manufacturing industry is embracing advanced technologies like robotic automation due to its capacity to increase efficiency, productivity, and cost effectiveness. Approximately 64% of global organizations have identified cost reduction as the primary driver for automation. The International Federation of Robotics estimates that by 2020, there will be 1.7 million new robot installations across factories worldwide. Automation speeds up the production process, reduces human error, and creates an overall more efficient and streamlined operation, making it a vital element for the future of conveyor and conveying equipment manufacturing.
Impact on the Labor Market
Robotics and automation have the potential to significantly impact the labor market and workforce in the manufacturing industry. The World Economic Forum forecasts that by 2025, automation will have replaced 85 million jobs globally. However, it's important to note that this same technology is projected to create 97 million new roles. This implies a shift in job roles rather than a loss of jobs, with workers transitioning to more complex, technology-driven roles. Manufacturers will need to invest in training and upskilling their workforce to adapt to this shift.
Industry Trends: Safety and Hygiene Practices
The introduction of robots in the manufacturing industry has had a profound effect on safety and hygiene practices. Research shows that 73% of manufacturers plan to increase their use of smart devices in the next three years, which will allow them to enhance their safety measures. Moreover, robots are capable of working in hazardous environments where human workers are at risk. They can also maintain stringent hygiene standards, a trend that has gained further relevance in recent times.
Key Takeaways
- Robotic automation is a crucial component of future conveyor and conveying equipment manufacturing, primarily driven by cost reduction.
- The impact of automation on the labor market is not necessarily negative, as it also creates new, technology-oriented job roles.
- Safety and hygiene practices in the industry are set to improve with increased use of robotic automation.
About 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is developing cutting-edge solutions to enhance safety and reliability in robotics systems. A specific area of focus for 3Laws is certification, a significant challenge for many robotics companies. Their software, the 3Laws Supervisor, streamlines this difficult process by providing robust safety features and evidence of system robustness, thus potentially simplifying the certification path.
Built on Control Barrier Functions, a technology developed at Caltech, the software ensures mathematically provable safety. It has multiple applications, ranging from warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, to navigating dynamic environments.
3Laws has demonstrated impressive results, with one autonomous forklift customer achieving a 40% efficiency gain and a 6-month payback period. Their software is adaptable, compatible with a wide range of platforms like mobile robots, cars, drones, manipulators, and popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2.
Beyond traditional e-stop methods, 3Laws positions itself as a next-generation safety solution offering proactive safety measures, unlocking the full potential of robotics and achieving safety certifications for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 standards. Therefore, 3Laws Robotics enables robotic systems to perform at their peak while ensuring utmost safety.